NYC & COMPANY HOSTS PAN-EUROPEAN MICE FAMILIARIZATION TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY

05/01/2015

NYC & COMPANY HOSTS PAN-EUROPEANMICE FAMILIARIZATION TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY

New York City (May 1, 2015) — NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, hosted 17 pan-European buyers on a familiarization trip from April 23-27, 2015 to highlight New York City’s offerings as a MICE destination.

“New York City welcomed approximately 6.1 million meeting and convention delegates in 2014, up from 5.9 million the previous year,” commented Fred Dixon, CEO & President of NYC & Company. “The MICE sector is a vital contributor to New York City’s tourism economy and continuing the growth out of key European markets is a top priority for us.”

“Holding a meeting or event in New York City has the power to drive record attendance,” added Jerry Cito, Senior Vice President, Convention Development at NYC & Company. “There are constantly new developments to showcase across all five boroughs and we’re delighted these European buyers were able to experience first-hand how the city excites and inspires everyone from first-time to regular delegate visitors.”

Clients including Imagination Ltd, George P Johnson, Trinity Event Solutions and WRG Live from the UK; MCI Germany and Realize Events from Germany; Ormes and FC2 Events from France; BokningsBolaget and Tailor Events from Sweden and GI Travel and Uniglobe Total Travel from the Netherlands were led on a four day tour of New York City, showcasing the city’s iconic aspects as well as its most recently added event venues, meeting spaces and incentive activities.

NYC & Company’s conventions team created a welcome reception for the group at Bar SixtyFive, part of the Rainbow Room within Rockefeller Center, which reopened as an event and dining venue in October 2014. Local DMCs then designed daily itineraries for the participants, showcasing a variety of neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

Highlights of the trip included a behind the scenes tour of Grand Central Terminal, a gospel experience in Harlem and a preview of One World Observatory, which will open to the public on May 29, 2015 and offers expansive event space for private occasions. The group also participated in site inspections at hotels across the city, showcasing the range of accommodations available for all budget levels.

The group, accompanied by NYC & Company’s Paul Black, Senior Director of European MICE, flew to New York with Delta and Skyteam and was hosted across the New York Hilton Midtown, Sheraton New York Times Square and the New York Marriott Marquis, three of the City’s largest convention hotels.

About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.